National Poetry Day was celebrated when the English Department ran a whole School Poetry Competition using the theme of ‘Games’. Pupils responded with enthusiasm and Mrs Robinson was delighted by the quality of work which was produced. Indeed it was a difficult decision to select prize winners!

Please read the poems online to appreciate the talent of many of our pupils. Well-done to everyone who entered and those who were awarded certificates, house-points, parker pens and monetary gifts.

This Blog Portal will enable you to keep in contact with your History teacher and each other! It will help you to keep up to date with any news in the History department and information regarding trips, test, assignments and homework tasks. It will also give you the opportunity as a class to exchange ideas, collaborating on historical enquiries and presentations. You will also be able to discuss and debate key questions and issues that we are investigating in class. Happy Blogging!

21/10/11 - ATTENTION ALL PARENTS

All parents are reminded that the Parent Survey closes on Tuesday 25 October at 3pm. This survey can be completed on-line via a link on this website or paper copies are available at the school office.

Pupils were issued with home letters for parents on 18/10/11 on how to carry out this task. Your support in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

21/10/11 - Disappointment In Penalty Shootout

The Under 14 Football team had a disappointing exit from the Mid-Ulster Cup following a penalty shootout against Killicomaine Junior High School on Wednesday 19 October.

Nathan Dodds and Daryl Johnston had given Newtownhamilton a 2-1 lead only for Killicomaine to equalise in the closing stages before achieving victory via the dreaded penalty shootout. A disappointing end but a strong account from the Newtownhamilton boys - well done.

Meanwhile, congratulations go to Daryl Johnston and Gary Knight following their selection for the Mid-Ulster Schools Under 15 District team. PE Teacher Mr J Black has also been appointed Team Manager.

Pictured above are the Newtownhamilton boys together as they watch the drama of the penalty shootout unfold.

18/10/11 - Parent Survey

We are always looking at ways to improve things at Newtownhamilton High School and so we are giving parents the opportunity to express their views and opinions through the completion of an on-line google survey via this website.

The survey will be live from Tuesday 18 October at 3.00pm and will close on Tuesday 25 October at 3.00pm. Further information about this survey and how to complete it has been included in a home letter (distributed to pupils on 18/10/11) and can also be viewed on this website via the link on the home page or byclicking here.

The weather conditions were kind with both pupils and staff participating in fun activities such as wet bouldering, abseiling, canoeing and orienteering.

More pictures from this trip can be viewed on the gallery section of this website.

17/10/11 - Yr 8 Parents' Evening (25/10/11)

Our Year 8 Parents' Evening will be held in the school assembly hall on Tuesday 25 October 2011 from 3.30-5.30pm. Parents are advised to come early in order to avoid the rush.

12/10/11 - Yr 8 PE Kit

Year 8 Parents are reminded that the new navy rugby shirt for boys is now available at Newtownhamilton Post Office (02830 878979).

It is expected that all boys will have the PE kit for the start of November.

10/10/11 - PSNI Talk on Halloween Safety

PSNI Constable Montgomery spoke to all pupils during Monday morning assembly about the dangers of bonfires and fire works in the build up to Halloween.

She reinforced that it is illegal to purchase fire works without a licence and that extreme care must be taken if building a bonfire. Constable Montgomery is pictured with Principal Mr G Mullan and pupils Alice Hutton and Josh McCartney.

10/10/11 - Yr 10 STEM Event at St. Paul's HS

Our Year 10 pupils made the short journey to St. Paul's High School Bessbrook on Friday 7 October to participate in a joint STEM workshop that focused on Engineering.

The event, which was delivered by Sentinus, gave pupils from both schools the opportunity to work together to produce hovercrafts, rockets and flying helicopters.

10/10/11 - Bibles for Year 8 Pupils

Norman and Richard Alexander from Markethill made their annual visit to Newtownhamilton High School on Friday 7 October to distribute Bibles to our Year 8 pupils. They also spoke briefly to the pupils about their faith and how they also distribute the Bibles to hotels and other organisations.

Newtownhamilton High would like to thank both Norman and Richard for taking the time to visit the school.

07/10/11 - Prize Night 2011

The staff and pupils of Newtownhamilton High School opened the doors to the local community on Thursday 6 October to celebrate the success of the 2010/11 school year for the annual Prize Night.

A very full house was in attendance for guest speaker Mr Trevor Lockhart who is the Chief Executive of Fane Valley, a company that originated in the Newtownhamilton area. Mr Lockhart spoke about the strong links that his organisation has with both the local community and the school. He also provided a brief history of Fane Valley and identified the many career opportunities available within the company to the pupils of Newtownhamilton High School.

Mr Lockhart also presented certificates and awards to all prize winners with Alison J Hamilton (pictured top left) winning the Teachers' Cup for Academic Achievement having achieved the following grades:

4 A*, 4 A, 1 B and 1 C. Jonathan Leyburn collected the trophy for the Best All Round Pupil on the Vocational Enhancement Programme.

An excellent supper was prepared by Mrs Sharon Porter and her team and was served by staff.

Newtownhamilton High School offers best wishes to all the Year 13 pupils for their future careers. Further photographs can be found on the gallery section of this website.

04/10/11 - Community Notice: Free Electric Blanket Testing

The Southern Health and Social Care Trust is holding a Free Electric Blanket Testing Day on Thursday 6 October 2011 (10am-4pm) in Newtownhamilton Community Centre.

This service is free for anyone that has an electric blanket. They will test old ones, even those that haven't been used for years and if they fail the safety test (which old one's tend to do) a voucher for £15.00 will be issued which can be used towards buying a new blanket that is safe.

Southern Regional College (Newry) recently hosted a visit by the Permanent Secretary for the Department for Employment and Learning, Mr Alan Shannon, and the Permanent Secretary for the Department for Education, Mr Paul Sweeney. The purpose of the visit was to update the Permanent Secretaries on the work that SRC is doing in partnership with over 38 in the 4 regional Area Learning Communities.

Year 8 pupils were involved in an anti-bullying presentation and workshop that was delivered by SELB representative Mrs E Gillanders.

The pupils appreciated and enjoyed this event and special thanks must go to Mrs E Gillanders for her support in this important issue.

03/10/11 - SEP at St. Paul's High School Bessbrook

On Monday 3 October, Year 9 pupils accompanied by Mrs Alexander and Mr Black, travelled to St Paul’s High School to participate in the Sharing Education Programme (S.E.P).

The pupils from St Paul’s and Newtownhamilton had the opportunity to meet up again and work together considering issues surrounding the topic of Social Responsibility.

03/10/11 - New Yr 8 PE Kit Now Available

Parents of our Year 8 boys can now purchase the official school PE kit (navy rugby top, navy shorts and red socks) from Mrs Gracie Donaldson at Newtownhamilton Post Office (02830 878979). It is expected that all pupils will have their new PE kit for the start of November.

Newtownhamilton High School apologises for any inconvenience that this matter may have caused.

03/10/11 - European Experience Break & Lunch

Sharon Porter and the canteen staff at Newtownhamilton High School came up with a wonderful international break and lunch menu to celebrate European Day of Languages on Friday 30 September.

Pupils indulged in a selection of ‘viennoiseries’, such as croissants and crepes during break time, followed by a delightful selection of dishes at lunch time, with pupils and staff enjoying a variety of typical European dishes such as lasagne, pastas and garlic baguette.

Staff and pupils used the opportunity to brush up on their language skills and phrases such as ‘Bon appétit’, ‘s’il vous plaît’ and ‘merci’ were in excellent use through out lunch time!